Press centre

Storage tanks for finished products at Nakhodka Mineral Fertilizer Plant will have a capacity to hold 240,000 tons of methanol at one time. Installation of eco-friendly and safe tanks is being made ahead of schedule, using cutting-edge technologies.

“Installation of four tanks is in the active phase, and the works on two of them are nearing completion. Rapid pace is attained by maximum automation of the process using modern welding equipment. Each element is joined using from three to six butt seams, ensuring the required reliability. Multilevel quality control allows detection of even microscopic metal damages and its prompt elimination during the installation stage”, said Viktor Grebenyukov, Executive Director of NFP.

Apart from continuous visual and dimensional assessment of joints, all horizontal and vertical weld seams are inspected using ultrasonic testing and radiographic control methods. For this purpose, employees from the specialized laboratory are engaged on an ongoing basis. Additionally, the tanks will undergo hydraulic tests upon completion of installation works, which will provide for comprehensive assessment of the quality of assembling as well as pressure tests to check for roof seal integrity.

A total of eight tanks, each with a volume of up to 30,000 cubic meters, will be installed at the site. Assembling of the tanks is conducted by the build-up method: upon installation of the bottom, subsequential installation and welding of 14 vertical bends are performed, the thickness of their walls is from 12 up to 26 millimeters.

Upon installation of the main structures, the specialists will commence welding of the nozzles to join the tanks with the pipelines, installation of stairs and ramps, service platforms, and firefighting system elements.

The commercial methanol from the tanks will be transported via pipes to tankers and further by sea to end consumers. The methanol transportation system will be fully sealed, to prevent emissions into the environment.

NFP will rank among the top five enterprises in the country in terms of annual production output. The plant will use natural gas to synthesize 5,400tons of methanol per day and will reach its design capacity in 2027.